How to Stain Travertine

Sealer pigments work with any natural stone tile.

Made from limestone, travertine tiles easily absorb pigments and stains. For this reason, manufacturers recommend sealing the tiles regularly to protect them. You can use this to your advantage and mix pigments into your sealer to both seal and color the stone at the same time. Pigmented sealers stain the grout as well as the tiles once installed. If you do not want the grout stained, seal the tiles before installation or cover and protect the grout lines during the sealing process.

1

Open the windows and doors in the room. Set up a fan on one side of the room pulling air out of the room. Set up a second fan on the other side of the room pulling air into it. This cross-ventilates the area to quickly draw toxic fumes out.

2

Put on full-length pants, a long-sleeve shirt, solvent-resistant gloves, a dust mask and safety goggles. If you are sensitive to fumes or have a heart condition, wear a respirator instead of a dust mask.

3

Open the can and mix the settled stripper ingredients. Dip a solvent-resistant paintbrush into the stripper and brush it onto a 3-square-foot section of the tiles. Leave the stripper sitting until bubbles form. Keep the stripper wet during this time, adding more as needed to prevent any drying.

4

Scrub gently with a solvent-resistant scrub brush to spread the sealer around the tile as it begins to skim over. Use the brush to agitate any stained areas and help the stripper work its way into the tile.

5

Wipe the stripper off the tiles with damp rags. Once removed, wipe over the area with a clean rag dampened with lacquer thinner. Repeat the process until you finish the entire floor. Leave the floor to dry for 24 hours.

6

Check the floor for any remaining sealer. Drip water at random points along the floor. If the water beads, then repeat the stripping process. Wipe up the water with a dry rag.

7

Add 1 ounce of ghost-pearl pigments into 1 quart of tile sealer. Stir until well mixed. Test a small amount in an inconspicuous corner of the room. Leave it to dry, then check the color. Add more colorant as desired.

8

Pour the sealer into a paint-roller tray. Dip your lamb's-wool roller into the sealer and roll it onto the floor. Apply the sealer evenly without letting puddles form on the tile. Refill the paint-roller tray as needed.

9

Leave the sealer to dry, then apply a second coat in the same manner. Roll the second coat in the opposite direction of the first. For example, if you rolled the first coat in an east-west direction, roll the second coat in a north-south direction.

10

Buff the tiles with a dry microfiber cloth to remove streaks. Leave the floor to dry for 24 hours.

Things You Will Need

2 fans

Full-length pants

Long-sleeve shirt

Solvent-resistant gloves

Dust mask or respirator

Safety goggles

Tile stripper

Solvent-resistant paintbrush

Solvent-resistant scrub brush

Rags

Lacquer thinner

Ghost-pearl pigments

Paint-roller tray

Lamb's-wool roller on extension pole

Microfiber cloth

Tips

Contact your local hazardous-waste pickup service to dispose of leftover stripper and stripper-soaked rags.

Warnings

If you become dizzy, your eyes water or your head starts to hurt while stripping, leave the area immediately.

If you experience difficulty breathing while using stripper, contact a physician and poison control immediately.